July 11, 1996, went down as one on the most explosive nights in boxing history. The main event was Riddick Bowe vs. Andrew Golota—billed as “Big Daddy’s Home”— and was televised live on HBO from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

American heavyweight Riddick Bowe, a former two-time heavyweight champion, ended his boxing career with a 43-1 record, with 33 wins by knockout. He was also the one who put an end to Evander Holyfield’s formerly perfect record. Yet, his most memorable moment would be when he fought Polish heavyweight Andrew Golota.
Despite being both unknown and undefeated, Golota overshadowed Bowe on his home turf and utterly dominated him for six rounds— losing three points along the way for a multitude of illegal low blow shots. After landing a fourth low blow, Referee Wayne Helly had no choice but to disqualify Golota in the seventh round. This was when tempers really started to flare, escalating into the most infamous brawl in boxing history.
The arena-wide riot broke out after members of Bowe’s corner, including his manager Rock Newman, attacked Golota in the ring and set off a chain reaction. Within seconds, both the ring and the crowd were full of bodies swinging and shoving, some trying to help, but most just wanting in on the action.
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Lou Duva, who was 74 years old at the time and worked in Golota’s corner, actually dropped to the canvas and passed out. He was subsequently wheeled away on a stretcher after suffering from severe chest pains. His condition was later updated to stable at the hospital.
During the colossal scuffle, 22 people were injured and 16 arrests were made. This disastrous event became known as one of the many stains on the great sport of boxing, which largely contributed to the downward trajectory of its popularity in years thereafter.
Amazingly, the two sluggers opted to settle what they started in the ring later that year, and as fate would have it, Golota was disqualified yet again.





